The Birds class is designed to introduce students to the many species of birds in the area and how to identify them both visually and audibly. After discovering bird body design and purpose in nature, students will venture out to the wooded bird blind to observe native species first hand.

This class uses scientific inquiry to learn about arthropods native to Ohio. Exploring our Native Prairie grassland area, students will use field sampling techniques to capture arthropods and observe characteristics of the specimens caught. They will use dichotomous keys to identify the class and order of each specimen. Students will compare similarities and differences between these classes and discuss how these characteristics affect survival of the arthropods.

Discover unusual and unexpected edible plants as we hike through the woods for this class. Nature is our "grocery store" as students learn to identify and safely sample native wild edible plants growing in and around our woods and fields.

We need your help! Our Heartland staff has stumbled across several crime scenes and we need YOU to aid us in our investigation! Predators run rampant all over Heartland property and there most recent activity has been behind our Beechnut Lodge (teachers beware!). So put on your investigator caps, brush up on Sherlock Holmes and exercise your critical thinking to help us solve our wildlife mysteries!

Trees are an important resource all around us. They are easily overlooked and taken for granted. In this class, students will investigate the importance of trees in our lives and the ecosystem. They will study the tree diversity in Heartland's woodlot and draw conclusions about the biodiversity based on their observations, results, and past experiences.

The Ecosystems class gives students a better understanding of the various relationships in the different ecosystems of Ohio. Hands-on exploration of forest, grassland, and wetland ecosystems will further knowledge and understanding of the intricate balance between living organisms and their habitat. The class will also teach students how they can be a positive influence on their own environment.

The aquatic ecosystems class gives students a better understanding of the various relationships within an aquatic stream ecosystem. Hands-on exploration and study of Alum Creek will further knowledge and understanding of the intricate balance between living organisms and their habitat.

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Most students can visually identify a fish, but many do not know the basic characteristics of these unique animals. This class is designed to help students learn more about fish through discussion and hands on experience.

During Hidden, students will enjoy learning about natural camouflage and different animals that benefit from that adaptation. After going on a hidden "woolly worm" hike, students will observe and reflect upon different characteristics that make camouflage successful, and then play a game to experience how important camouflage is important between predators and prey.

The stream study class gives students a better understanding of how to conduct an investigation within a streamecosystem. Through the use of the appropriate tools and hands-on exploration, the students will discover the importance of water quality and the water quality status of Alum Creek along with the many organisms living within it.

Close your eyes and think of an animal. What is the picture that comes to mind? Does your animal have fur? If it does, you thought of a mammal. Did you know mammals are found in every continent of the world? In each habitat, they have different characteristics to help them to live in these places. In this class, students will discover habitats at Heartland where mammals can be found. They will journey off trail and put themselves in the paws of some of the amazing wildlife here in Ohio. They will also get to meet a few of our amazing animal ambassadors. They will get hands-on contact with live mammals as well as some mammal artifacts such as pelts and skulls.

Step into our interactive nature center, and observe as your students are introduced to live specimens of native and exotic reptiles and amphibians. Students will enjoy handling the docile animals and observing their interactions, characteristics, and movements. Perhaps a budding herpetologist will walk away with career inspiration!

3-2-1 Blastoff! Your students are adventurers and scientists tasked with the job of classifying and naming the life on a newly discovered distant planet. Leave Earth behind and step into this unexplored frontier (that looks suspiciously like Heartland’s prairie) to uncover what new life awaits discovery.

As a class, students will learn of four different poetry styles used when writing about nature which include: Diamonte, Cinquain, Haiku, and Impressionistic. We will cover the structure of these poems, write an example together, and then venture outside to have the students create their very own poems while immersed in and inspired by the nature around them.

The Orienteering Class introduces students to the purpose, parts, and proper use of a compass. The class also provides practical experience on how to navigate with or without maps and charts. Students will have the opportunity to use a compass on a course to further their understanding of orienteering.

Students will enjoy creating a unique chemical reaction between a borax solution and glue during this scientific experiment class. The end result is a spec"gak"cular specimen! Observations will be recorded data shared, and students will walk away understanding the uniqueness of a chemical reaction as well as the law of Conservation of Mass.

Step into our wooded target range where students will receive a basic introduction to the sport of archery. Under careful supervision, students will learn form and shooting techniques while trying their hand at target practice.

The Construction Zone class helps students develop teamwork and cooperation skills while building a giant "Tinker toy" like structure. We emphasize positive communication with one another as the cooperative group overcomes many physical and psychological obstacles. Our facilitators vary in the use of these obstacles in order to enhance the personal experience for each student and the group as a whole.

This energetic class was designed to use cooperative games and activities to help students develop teamwork, communication, cooperation, and problem solving skills. Creative thinking and teamwork go hand in hand as students complete the fun, energizing challenges. It is our hope that this class will encourage students to begin building a basis of trust and unity between one another.

Located at our outdoor Team Challenge Course, these fun and interactive low rope initiatives continue to promote an unforgettable experience that develops teamwork, cooperation, coordination, and motor skills. Students will travel through the wooded course with a Heartland instructor in groups of approximately seven to thirteen students while working together to complete the given tasks.

The Wilderness Survival class will give students hands-on experience in dealing with survival situations. Students will practice building and igniting a fire, making a shelter, finding suitable drinking water and food, and signaling.

Set in the forest at our Native American camp site, this class will allow students to enjoy learning about several native Ohio tribes. The students will not only learn about Native American culture and language both before and after colonial contact in the Ohio region, but will also participate in an interactive portion of the class that will center on skills used by native tribes prior to European contact.

Step back in time while visiting our late 1700's historic village, Alum Creek Settlement. Students will follow our staff (in costume and character of 1700’s) along a wooded trail leading to the settlement, notorious for attacks from the Natives in the area. Once safely at the village, students will enjoy interacting with historic characters and participating in several activities typical of that time period. These might include: candle making, crafts, games, tomahawk throwing, sewing, blacksmithing, carpentry, village militia and cooking over the fire. History comes to life as your students experience what life was like in 1700's Ohio!

The Geology class will teach the students how to identify rocks in three geological classifications through a visual and hands-on Rock Cycle explanation. Students will also experience an introduction to mineral testing and discover characteristics of minerals through hands-on activities. A specimen table will provide actual examples of rocks and minerals the students might find not only here in Ohio but throughout the world.

Building on prior geology knowledge, this interactive outdoor class will give students the opportunity explore the banks of Alum Creek and surrounding tributaries as we observe Ohio terrain, and the rocks found here in Ohio.

Watch your students "climb to new heights" as they challenge themselves on our multi-level climbing wall. Located indoor, this class is offered all year round with one-on-one instruction from our trained and experienced staff members. Climbers of all levels, from beginners to the more advanced will enjoy the thrill of the climb!

This class is recommended for schools that have chosen Skit Night as an evening activity. Cabin groups will be given guidelines for the skits they plan to present that night. They will have time to practice and have their skit reviewed by a staff member during the class.

Join in the fun as your students use bright, vivid colors to create their own masterpiece t-shirts! Our experienced staff will guide the students through a series of twists and turns that, in the end, will produce uniquely tie-dyed t-shirts. Complete with our Heartland Outdoor School Logo, the shirts come preshrunk and are available in adult sizes S-XXL.

*Additional charge of $6.00 per student.